SIAST and CGA Saskatchewan formalize partnership

SIAST instructor and CGA Dave Richards speaks about the benefits of becoming a CGA at the announcement formalizing SIAST's partnership with CGA Saskatchewan in the Macoun Lounge at SIAST Palliser Campus on Tuesday.

The relationship between SIAST and the Certified General Accountants Association of Saskatchewan (CGA Saskatchewan) was formalized Tuesday in Moose Jaw.

Faculty members from the business and accounting departments at SIAST made the announcement at the Palliser campus. The agreement stated that CGA Saskatchewan would formally acknowledge SIAST as a partner in education for the base accounting courses for their program. Also, SIAST will continue to promote CGA Saskatchewan’s program and the merit of pursuing a CGA designation to SIAST’s business accountant graduates.

“It really was about agreeing to promote each other’s programs to post-secondary study,” said Doug Rempel, program head for accountancy and financial services at SIAST. “Before was sort of an informal arrangement. We had never specified an agreement between the two parties. This affirms and formalizes really what we’ve had on an informal basis.”

He said a very small number of people in the province who receive introductory accounting training fully complete an accounting designation.

“With the boom in the province right now, it’s a high-in-demand industry. The need for accountants is greater than ever and the pool of fully designated accountants just isn’t as large as it needs to be,” said Rempel. “So we definitely want to encourage our graduates to carry on their education once they leave here … Anyone who finishes a designation never regrets it.”

“When our students come out of here with their accounting diploma, they’re fully employable and they can work a good career. You don’t have to go for the designation,” added SIAST instructor Dave Richards who is also a CGA. “However, if you want to go on, if you want to get that flexibility and transferability and that recognition as a designated accountant, then … it really is a good track for someone who wants to do that.”

SIAST instructor and CGA Dave Richards speaks about the benefits of becoming a CGA at the announcement formalizing SIAST's partnership with CGA Saskatchewan in the Macoun Lounge at SIAST Palliser Campus on Tuesday.